Bacon and brown sugar baked beans are a classic and comforting side dish often enjoyed at barbecues, picnics, and gatherings. The combination of smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar adds a delicious balance of flavors to the hearty beans. Here’s a simple recipe for making bacon and brown sugar baked beans:
Ingredients:
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) of your preferred beans (such as navy beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans), drained and rinsed
- 6-8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a skillet, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and let it drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Saute the Onion:
- In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent and slightly caramelized. This will infuse the beans with extra flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less brown sugar.
- Combine the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained and rinsed beans, crumbled bacon, sautéed onion, and the prepared sauce. Mix gently to evenly distribute the ingredients and coat the beans with the sauce.
- Season and Adjust:
- Taste the mixture and add salt if needed. Keep in mind that the bacon and canned beans may already contain some salt, so adjust accordingly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish:
- Transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish or casserole dish.
- Bake:
- Bake the beans in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until the beans are hot and the flavors have melded together. The top should be slightly caramelized and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These beans are a wonderful side dish for barbecues, grilled meats, or any comfort food meal.
Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite ingredients like diced bell peppers, chopped jalapeños for some heat, or even a touch of Worcestershire sauce for added depth of flavor.
